PORAT (ISRAEL) (AFP) – A fireworks warehouse in northern Israel went up in flames on Tuesday, killing two people, injuring at least two more and setting off a series of loud explosions, authorities said.
Firefighters worked to douse the large fire at the structure around Porat, a village near the coastal city of Netanya, while evacuating residents and preventing the blaze from spreading to nearby homes.
Police said two bodies were recovered from the warehouse and an investigation into the fire was continuing.
A fire service spokesman called it “a very big fire, including explosions and fireworks being shot into the air”.
Medics also took a 50-year-old man suffering burn wounds to hospital in serious condition, while at least one other person was less seriously hurt.
Authorities had initially spoken of seven injured.
Images distributed by police showed thick black smoke billowing, as fireworks exploded in the sky behind.
Police closed off the area and sent emergency units to the scene.
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